TITLE: Paradise Found

AUTHOR: LOTSlove®

CHARACTERS: Richard / Kahlan / Zedd / Cara/ Darken Rahl / Other Seeker Characters (Surprise Appearances)

RATING: R/M

WARNINGS: Author Chooses Not to Use Warnings

TIMELINE: Alternative Universe

DISCLAIMER: I'm completely obsessed with the show Legend of the Seeker and all things Richard and Kahlan. I love to write about them even though they cancelled my show and now I'm fighting to get it back!

SUMMARY: My very first AU fic! Team Seeker and gang set in the Wild Wild West. Hope you enjoy the adventure!

Chapter 3

Richard made his way through the bustling streets of town, anxious to find what he needed. He had spent weeks in pursuit of information, plotting and planning for the moment that was hopefully fast approaching. He could practically taste it.

And yet, it could not come fast enough.

All of his searching had led him here, to his town, this moment in time…and to her. He would not be denied what he had longed for what felt like an eternity to him to find.

His brooding mood had only darkened with no sign of Kahlan anywhere so far. He had hoped to see her when he had left his room this morning. Unfortunately, she wasn't at the saloon. She didn't seem to be anywhere.

Zedd had told him that Miss Cara and a couple of Darken Rahl's men had escorted Kahlan from the saloon early this morning before he had woken, but he'd had no idea why or where they were taking her. It had done little to settle Richard's worry knowing she was in the hands of Rahl's men, but at least Cara was with her.

There was something about the blond-haired saloon girl that he liked. He felt as though he could trust her for some reason, that she wanted out of the hell that Rahl had created as much he wanted Kahlan out of there. Theirs was a friendship forged through a common goal.

Taking his hat off, Richard raked his fingers back through his long hair before replacing it once more. He needed to take care of business before he could help Kahlan, but he couldn't help the gut feeling that his situation was somehow connected with hers in some sort of way.

And everything seemed to be pointing to Darken Rahl.

Not knowing where Kahlan was at that moment was beginning to drive him crazy. He didn't like not knowing what was happening to her. He tried to force his fear for her aside as he entered the jail in search of the sheriff.

Entering, Richard found Chase sitting with his chair tipped back against the wall, his legs crossed in front of him on top of his desk. He was whistling softly to himself as he cleaned his gun. In fact, he seemed to be cleaning his entire gun collection as Richard stared at the wide assortment of shotguns, rifles, and revolvers that covered the desk. It appeared as if the sheriff was going off to fight a war of some kind.

"Morning," Chase warmly greeted him with a broad smile.

"Morning, Chase," Richard smiled back as he sat down in a chair opposite the sheriff.

"How has your stay in D'Hara been so far?"

"Interesting," Richard finally replied after a long moment.

"There's never a dull moment around here," Chase admitted with a sudden sigh. "I'm kept on my toes pretty much all the time much to my wife Emma's dismay."

"How so?"

"Darken Rahl," Chase replied with a sudden sneer. "Most vile piece of filth you'll ever find in these parts. Best steer clear from him at all cost."

"Why do you stay here then?"

"Been my home all my life," he said, running a cloth over the barrel of his gun. "Besides, people need someone they can trust and count on around here. I'm not always able to do a lot, but I like to think what little I can do hopefully counts for something."

Richard felt himself relax with Chase's words, relieved to know he was not in with Rahl. He found that he really liked Chase, hoped that the sheriff be able to help him out. He needed a friend now more than ever.

"I'm sure you do a lot more good than you think," he told him, removing his hat and tossing it onto the desk.

Pausing what he was doing, Chase studied him for a long moment, his intent gaze seeming to probe him. "Richard, what brings you to D'Hara?" he finally asked, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. "I hope it doesn't involve what I think it involves."

"And what do you think it involves?" Richard cagily asked, leaning forward in his chair to rest his forearms on his knees.

"I don't know. You tell me," Chase frowned. "You seem like a good person, Richard. I'd hate for you to get caught up in more than you can handle around here."

"Well, that's partly why I came here to talk to you," Richard replied. "My brother lives around here somewhere and I think that he's gotten himself involved in something dangerous."

"Who's your brother?"

"Michael Cypher," he said, studying the sheriff's face for his reaction.

Chase drew a deep breath before releasing it as he finally pulled his legs from the desk and placed his boots back onto the floor. Sitting forward in his chair, he tossed his rag onto the table, placing his revolve into his holster. He folded his hands, resting them on his desk before finally responding.

"Michael's your brother?" he quietly asked.

"Yes," Richard simply said. "But I haven't seen him in over two years at least. Left Hartland to make his fortune in D'Hara. Haven't heard from him since."

"I see," Chase replied, weighing his words. "And what brings you here looking for your brother now?"

Chase watched as the man before him suddenly became rigid, his whole body tensing. His brown eyes flashed with anger, his jaw clenching and unclenching.

"My father was killed…over six weeks ago," he evenly said despite his heartache. "I came to tell him."

"Is that the only reason?"

Richard swallowed hard, averting his gaze. "No," he softly admitted.

"What happened to your father, Richard?"

"I came home to find him dead…beaten and hanging from a tree," Richard finally told him, fighting back the anguish that threatened to cut off air. "His abdomen had been ripped open, his entrails spilling out of him. Animals had begun feeding on him by the time I found him."

"I'm truly sorry, Richard," Chase told him, his brow furrowed. "Any idea who could have done it?"

"I have some idea, but I came here looking for proof," he cautiously said.

"You think your brother had something to do with your father's murder?"

"I don't know…maybe," he shook his head. "We had heard rumors that Michael had done very well here and I have to wonder how. What exactly did he get himself into that he could suddenly afford a large ranch, be worth so much money?"

"Darken Rahl," Chase replied.

"That was my guess," Richard confirmed. "I've been gathering as much information as I can about what Darken Rahl and my brother could be up to."

"And what have you come up with?"

"Sheriff!" a man yelled as he entered. "Got trouble brewing down at the Wilson's farm."

"Those boys at it again?" Chase asked, standing to his feet and grabbing a rifle.

"Afraid so," the man grimly replied.

"Richard, this my deputy Thaddeus," Chase introduced as he grabbed his hat and placed it on his head. "Don't do anything rash. We have much to talk about. I'll be back in a couple of hours."

Richard stood to his feet, following the sheriff and his deputy outside to their waiting horse. "I'm staying at the Keeper's Inn. I'll most likely be there."

Mounting his horse, Chase nodded his head to his new friend. "Stay here in town and don't get into any trouble while I'm gone."

Richard watched as Chase and his deputy rode off out of town in a thick cloud of dust, wondering what the sheriff knew about Michael and his involvement with Darken Rahl. He had a bad feeling it wasn't anything good.

XXX

Kahlan slowly buttoned the dress, her fingers almost trembling as she fastened the last of the pearl buttons. She couldn't believe she was doing this, her life…her future sold by her father to a brute like Darken Rahl.

She fought back the tears that seemed to linger in her throat despite her best efforts otherwise. She closed her eyes, drawing a deep breath before taking a look at herself in the mirror.

"Kahlan, are you done yet?"

Cara's voice cut through her grief, forcing her to put one foot in front of the other. She made her way out of the dressing room into the front where Cara waited before a full length mirror. The expression on her new friend's face told it all.

"You look beautiful, Kahlan," Cara smiled. "That's the prettiest dress I've ever seen."

"You really think so?" she softly asked.

Kahlan didn't know why she bothered asking. She really didn't care what dress she wore or what she looked like on her wedding day. It was a wedding she didn't want, a marriage to a man she loathed. She didn't know how she was going to be able to walk down the aisle in two days, seeing that smug grin on that tyrant's face and knowing what would come after when they were finally alone.

Seeing the sorrow in her face, Cara quickly took her hand, pulling her in front of the full length mirror that stood by the large picture window of the dress shop. "I know this isn't what you want, but you need to make the best of it," Cara told her. "There is no escaping him. You need to go along with whatever he wants. It'll be easier on you in the long run."

"I know," Kahlan sighed heavily as she glanced out the window.

Staring out the window, she saw Darken Rahl's two men standing across the street, leaning against a storefront as they waited for her. She couldn't go anywhere without those two following. They had become her constant shadow. She knew it wouldn't end even after the wedding.

"I'm going to go see if the veil is done yet," Cara said before turning to leave her standing all alone.

Kahlan drew a deep breath, her eyes beginning to water as she looked at herself in the mirror. This wasn't at all how she had pictured her wedding being planned or who she would marry. In fact, none of this seemed real to her at all anymore.

It was as if she was being dragged through a terrible nightmare that she couldn't wake from. The only good that had come out of any of it was the fact that her father was gone, hopefully forever if she had her way. She hoped she'd never have to see that man ever again.

Running her fingers over the soft satin, Kahlan's thoughts began to wander to the handsome stranger she had met last night. She couldn't help the smile that suddenly touched her lips as she pictured him in her mind's eye – the intensity of his chestnut eyes, the cut of his jaw and the stubble that lined it, the way he smiled at her.

She found herself imagining what it would be like to marry him instead, to be wearing this dress for him. It warmed her heart, causing her insides of quiver with the thought. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, she noticed her cheeks flushed pink.

She couldn't help it, though. He was the most handsome man she had ever seen, a sense of kindness about him that had touched her heart. He had so bravely stepped in to save her from Ike and he didn't even know her.

There were so many beautiful saloon girls at the Keeper's Inn and he seemed to have noticed her…or was she just imagining something that wasn't really there at all? A hopeful dream to avoid having to deal with the reality that had become her life?

Kahlan found herself wondering where he was at now. Was he thinking of her like she was of him? Did he really find her beautiful or had he just been kind in coming to her aid?

Glancing out the window, she suddenly caught site of his striking stature from across the street. She felt a nervous flutter in the pit of her stomach as she watched abruptly him cross the street, coming towards her. She wanted to look away, to not let him see her, but she found she couldn't tear her eyes off of him.

There was a fierce determination in his every step, an air of self-assurance that seemed to encompass him. She wondered what had brought him to D'Hara. Had he come looking for something special or was he somehow connected to Darken Rahl?

Just then, Richard looked up, their eyes connecting in that moment. Kahlan felt her legs grow weak as they stared at one another through the glass, the room suddenly becoming very warm. She watched his expression soften as he came to a stop on the other side of the window, his gaze roaming over her and drinking her in.

She shyly looked away, her cheeks warming with embarrassment to be seen in this dress. He would want nothing with her if he knew she was betrothed to another, especially someone like Darken Rahl. Would he ignore her now that he knew she was to be married?

Finally forcing herself to look at him again, Kahlan found him entering the store. She quickly turned back to the mirror, not knowing what to do or say. She nervously ran her fingers over the front of her wedding dress, wishing that she could run away and yet wanting to follow him no matter where he went.

"Hi," Richard softly said from behind her, wanting to talk to her, but not really knowing what to say.

Walking across the street, he had caught a glimpse of her, his heart immediately pounding at the site of her. Seeing her in a wedding dress was both arousing and frightening at the same time knowing what she was being forced into.

"Hi," Kahlan replied as she turned to face him, giving him a smile that immediately set his pulse to racing.

"I heard that you were going to be married," Richard said, taking his hat off, his long brown strands falling to frame his tanned face. "You look beautiful."

Kahlan bit her bottom lip, her heart warmed by his compliment, her stomach churning knowing that he knew she was betrothed to be married. She silently chided herself for even thinking that something could possibly ever happen with the handsome man standing before her now. Her future had been decided by her father against her will and there was absolutely nothing that could be done about it no matter how much her heart wished otherwise.

"Thank you, Richard," she said, her eyes silently pleading with him to save her from this death sentence.

The sadness that filled her gaze pierced his heart. He found himself moving closer to her, his legs moving of their own accord. He came to a stop a couple of feet from her, the air suddenly vanishing from his lungs. She was so radiant to behold that he ached to touch her, to hold her, but he didn't dare.

She felt herself flush with growing desire, her heart pounding with his sudden nearness. "Thank you again for coming to my rescue last night."

"I couldn't just sit back and let him hurt you."

His gaze was so intense, so full of emotion; Kahlan found she had to look away for a moment to catch her breath. "What brings you to D'Hara?"

"I'm looking for my brother."

Kahlan's heart sank with his words, fearing he was just as wicked as Darken Rahl or somehow wrapped up in whatever it was that her soon to be husband was involved in. Whatever it was, she knew it wasn't good. She wanted to stop him, but didn't know how.

"Oh…I see," she murmured, fiddling with the satin ribbon that adorned her waist.

"His name is Michael Cypher," Richard told her, sensing her sudden apprehension. "I haven't seen him in over two years and had heard that he had a ranch around here."

Kahlan's face suddenly brightened somewhat with his words. Maybe he didn't know what his brother was up to or that he was involved with Darken Rahl. "I've heard his name, but I've never met him. I have no idea where he lives."

"I need to see him," he confessed. "Our father was murdered several weeks ago and I think that he may know who could have done it."

"Oh, Richard," she replied, her hand finding his arm as sadness filled her face. "I'm so sorry to hear that."

The feel of her hand on his arm caused his heart to stutter in his chest. He swallowed hard as he fought to keep his composure when all he wanted to do was kiss her at that moment. "I appreciate that," he softly said.

"Do you have any idea who did it?"

"I have some ideas, but I need proof first. That's the other reason why I'm here."

"I wish there was something I could do to help you," she told him, squeezing his arm affectionately.

"I hear you have enough trouble of your own without having to carry mine too," he replied, his voice laced with worry.

"You…you know about that?" she asked, her hand abruptly slipping from his arm.

Without a second thought, Richard immediately captured her hand securely in his. "Do you want to marry Darken Rahl?"

"No, of course not, but…" Kahlan adamantly shook her head, surprised that he would even need to ask her.

"You two had better break it up," Cara suddenly interrupted, coming out from her hiding place in the dressing room where she'd been watching them. They turned to find her pointing out the window to Darken Rahl's two men headed their way.

"I want to see you again, Kahlan," Richard heatedly said, not willing to release her hand just yet.

"You need to leave…now!" Cara ordered, pulling on Richard's arm. "You can escape out the back, but you need to go now before they get their hands on you."

Kahlan and Richard stared into each other's eyes a moment longer, silently saying what each other was too afraid at that moment to say out loud. He finally released her hand before making his way to Cara.

"Look out for her," he softly told Cara, casting one last look at Kahlan, the smile that she seemed to only give him on her lips just before he disappeared into the back.

"Thank you, Cara," Kahlan said, doing her best to rein in her heart.

"Just don't get your hopes up," she frowned. "No one has been able to stop Darken Rahl…at least not yet."

"And where'd that man go that was just in here?" the first man groused as he burst through the door.

"I don't know," Cara said. "He was looking for someone and then left out the back."

"Well, hurry it up," he snapped. "We don't have all day."

"Just go back across the street," Cara scowled. "We'll be out soon."

Both men huffed and grumbled obscenities under their breath, something about being forced to babysit two women when they had real work that needed to be done. The door slammed behind them, nearly breaking the glass in it.

Kahlan followed Cara to the back to get changed out of her wedding dress, her heart suddenly lighter than it had been that morning now that she had gotten to see Richard.